Got my earrings!

I started getting a little nervous when the earrings I wanted disappeared from the Macy's website. So I frantically went to my local Macy's to see if they were still there and.........they were!!!!

Aren't they beautiful?

I just want to get the bracelet also, but that'll have to wait for another paycheck.

DIY: Centerpieces: Trial #2

So after a bit of re-thinking, I'm back with round #2 of my centerpieces. Here is my inspiration from Martha. Ribbon wrapped vases. I was able to find the size I wanted at Michaels for $2.99/each. The ribbon I ordered from Papermart.

In order to make things as easy as possible for us the few days before the wedding, I decided to pre-tape the vases into a grid. This will help us arrange the flowers easily. It was also a good idea so I could wrap the black ribbon over the tape.

It is definitely not perfect, but it doesn't need to be. They'll be covered with flowers so you wont even see the grid.

Here is what it looks like after the ribbon is added. I used glue dots to get the ribbon to to stick to the vase. Hot glue was too bumpy under the ribbon.

And with my lovely paper flower.

DIY: Bridesmaid Jewelry

Okay...if you are a bridesmaid....DON'T PEEK!! (not even you sister!!) :)

The supplies I used are Swarovski pearls and crystals. Everything is also sterling silver. Like my DIY cufflinks, I bought the supplies from Fire Mountain Gems.

This is my enthused ring bearer who is bored out of his mind! I was taking too long making a bracelet.

I think I might order some larger crystals. The bracelet doesn't quite sparkle the way I want it too. I may add a few more strands also. I want it to be a bit chunkier looking.

It definitely takes some work, but I enjoy making jewelry. The hardest part is deciding on a design BEFORE you buy supplies.

Now only 3 more bracelets to go, plus earrings.......

DIY: Cufflinks

Yesterday I made a few sets of cufflinks as part of the gifts for our groomsmen. They were actually very easy! I bought the cuff links and chessboard Swarovski flat backs and glue from Fire Mountain Gems. I love this website!

I cut some holes in a box and stuck the cufflink backs in to hold them steady. I used G-S Hypo Cement glue and put a thin layer on the flat back. This glue comes with a very fine point so it is very easy to keep the glue under control.

I then placed the Chessboard crystal on top of the glue. The tricky part was lining the crystal up perfectly. The backing measured 12mm across and the crystal was also 12mm. It took a bit of playing around to make sure the crystal was centered perfectly. I did not want any of the backing showing around the crystal. Then I just allowed them to dry overnight.

And Voila! Cufflinks in under 20 minutes! It's all about getting all the supplies you need!

I think these are going to look great with the groomsmen's white french cuff shirts!

Cuff Links

I've decided to make cuff links for our groomsmen as part of their gifts. I've made lots jewelry for my sister and friends and myself, but I've never made cuff links. I scoured Etsy to find inspiration.

Tomatomade

I like the personalization that you could do with this type of cuff link, but I was a little anxious to make them with the resin like I saw in this blog.

tinytokensdesigns

I really love the idea of doing them with each person's initials, but I wasn't sure I wanted to take on the task of figuring out how to stamp them, etc. I like DIY, but I also don't want to waste my time and money on something that won't look great.

Bits and Badges

Now I think these would be very easy to make, but a little less formal than what I was thinking.

JMGJewelDesign

I like these because they will be very easy and classy. Although I lose the personalization with these, I think these will be a "do-able" DIY.

I ordered the supplies from my favorite jewelry shop Fire Mountain Gems. They have a great deal on shipping, you can stuff the box and the shipping is $5. I'll post updates and pics when the supplies come in.

Save the Dates!

I designed our Save the Dates and sent them a long time ago, but I am finally getting around to blogging about them. I have a remote control for my camera and set it up on a tripod. If you look closely you can see it in my right hand.

After about 25 takes, we got some pretty funny ones.

Here is the evolution of our Save the Dates.

After editing the lighting and adding some wording in Adobe Photoshop here is the final product.

Here is the back.

I designed and ordered them from Overnight Prints . The only complaint I have is that they turned out darker than on my computer, but I guess that's the way it goes. Overall they were pretty easy since I had already done our engagement party invitations from them. I'll blog about those later, but it is basically the same concept.

Back with a book!

Ok, so after quite a hiatus I am back to blogging. I just recently started my nursing job and have been pretty busy with that. BUT, I need to start back up getting wedding things done! SO here I am.

For anyone planning a wedding I would highly recommend THIS book! The Wedding Book by Mindy Weiss is a MUST HAVE!

I got it on Amazon for just under $14.00. It has all of the ettiquette and every last detail that you will ever need! It is such a great resource and I wish I bought it before I started planning! LOVE this book!